The Church is celebrating the memory of Saint Veronica or Berenice on February 4th. It is essentially the apocryphal gospel of Nicodemus that speaks of the story of Veronica, closely linked to Christ's Way of the Cross to Mount Golgotha.

When Christ fell to the ground under the weight of his cross, a woman came and wiped his face. The imprint of Christ's face remained on Berenice's veil; it is the "verum icon" or "true image" hence the name "Veronica". This piece of cloth is called "shroud" or "Veronica's veil" and was kept in the church of Saint Peter in Rome until the 8th century. The veneration of St. Veronica began to spread in the 14th and 15th centuries, a time of contemplation of the life of Christ, especially his passion.

St. Gilbert is also celebrated on this day. He was born in 1087 and died in 1190; in 1148 he founded his own order, at his death there were 13 double monasteries, i.e. with separate entrance for men and women, and there were 20 at the time Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the order. Until his death, Gilbert took care of orphans and lepers. At the age of 80, he was imprisoned on suspicion of helping Thomas Becket during his exile. At 90, he was flogged by his colleagues for allegedly mistreating them. He died of blindness at the age of 100.

The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth

At the end of its second General Assembly, held from 15 to 18 October 2024, the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace sent a message to government officials at all levels, as well as to all Malagasy and all people of goodwill.

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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